Japan, the United Kingdom, and Italy have agreed to accelerate the joint development of a new generation of combat aircraft, as announced by the defense ministers of the three countries. A tripartite organization will be created to work on the production of the aircraft, aiming to have it ready by the year 2035. The program, named the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP), seeks to strengthen cooperation in response to the growing threats from China, Russia, and North Korea.
The new combat aircraft will replace Japan's F-2 and the Eurofighter Typhoon, developed in collaboration with other countries. Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani met with his British and Italian counterparts to discuss the details of the project. The GCAP Governmental International Organization (GIGO) will be established by the end of this year to oversee the aircraft's development.
The meeting between the ministers took place during the G7 defense ministers' meeting in Naples, Italy. Several private companies, including Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the UK's BAE Systems PLC, and Italy's Leonardo, are participating in the project. GIGO will be based in the United Kingdom and will be chaired by a Japanese official.
The joint project is expected to advance with the signing of the first contract next year. Mitsubishi Heavy showcased a model of the aircraft at an airshow in Tokyo last week, highlighting the project's importance for the Japanese industry. The initiative promises to strengthen equipment development capacity and contribute to a better business environment for Japanese suppliers.
Japan, which has been rapidly strengthening its military capabilities, seeks to enhance its ability to deal with increasing Chinese assertiveness. The collaboration among the three countries involved in the combat aircraft project reflects an effort to bolster international defense cooperation in light of current and future threats.